Apparatus for the production of metallic fabrics



Jan. 19, 1932.

F. B. RILEY APPARATUS FOR THE PRODUCTION OF METALLIC FABRICS 6Sheets-Sheet l Filed Oct. 3, 1927 m (ma Wim @mk Jan. 19, 1932.

F. B. RILEY APPARATUS FOR THE PRODUCTION OF METALLIC- FABRICS Filed Oct.5, 1927 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 3. 1927 6 Sheets-Sheet .'5

Jan. 19, 1932. F. B. RILEY APPARATUS FOR THE PRODUCTION OF METALLICFABRICS Filed oct.

F. B. RILEY Jan. 19, 1932.

APPARATUS FOR THE PRODUCTION OF METALLIC FABRICS Filed Oct. 1927 6Sheets-Sheet 4 F. B. RILEY Jan. 19, 1932.

APPARATUS FOR TH PRODUCTI-ON OF' METALLIC FABRICS A Filed Oct.@Sheets-Sheet 5 ,gaa

Jan. 19, 1932. ,1 B, RILEY 1,842,120

APPARATUS1 FOR THE PRODUCTION OF METALLIC FABRICS Filed 001,. 3. 1927 6Sheets-Sheet 6 PatentedJan. 19, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICEAPPARATUS FOR THE PRODUCTION OF lfETALLIC FABRICS Application led ctober3, 1927. Serial No. 223,630.

The present invention relates to a new and improved method and apparatusfor the production of metallic reinforcement for concrete, plasterand-similar or equivalentv substances. The invention furthercontemplates an improved form of reinforcement particularly adapted forthis purpose.

It will be evident to those skilled in the art that various forms ofmetallic reinforcement have been employed in connection with concreteused for roadways, building Walls and ceilings, and other purposes.Suchmetallic reinforcement is also employed in place of wooden lathingfor supporting the plaster '5 in the Walls and ceilings of buildings.This reinforcement,- as commonly employed, consists either of theso-called expanded metal lathing made from a single sheet of man, terialor a series of reinforcing bars 01' y strands laid in the desiredrelationship within the forms, and secured manually prior to the pouringof the concrete or the application of the plaster. The employment ofmetallic reinforcement consisting of rectangular mesh fabric having twosets of strands extending longitudinally and transversely of thepattern, and welded, soldered or otherwise secured at theirintersections, has also been suggested. All of these types ofreinforcement have certain inherent objections primarily due to aninability to effectually reinforce the structure'against strains exertedin any direction. In recognition of this inherent in- L ability toeffectually support the concrete structure, it is customary to manuallybuild up an elaborate and intricate pattern of strands Where the strainsencountered in actual use are at all unusual or excessive.

The object of the present invention is to provide a new and improvedform of metallic reinforcement which is capable of successfullyresisting strains encountered in structures of this type, and which maybe rapidly and economically produced in volume.

With this and other objects in view, one feature of the invent-ioncontemplates the provision of a metallic reinforcement, consist-ingessentially of two sets of spaced strands extending diagonally withrespect to 5 the length of the pattern, and preferably K agonalsextending in different directions, and

locked at their intersections hy welding. i If so desired thereinforcement may be further strengthened through the employment ofeither longitudinal orcross-strands, or both, depending 'on the serviceto which the rein- `55 forcement is to be put. In any event, theemployment of the spaced, diagonal strands Iextending in oppositedirections and permanently united at their intersections produces areinforcement which resists deflection or distortion in any direction toa far greater degree than the usual rectangular mesh fabric. and withthe addition of longitudinals such a reinforcement may be given markedVstrength 'against breakage lengthwise of the 65 pattern while at thesame time resisting distortion or deflection strains tending vto causecracks and failure of the surrounding concrete mixture. y l According tothepresent invention I propose to form such a fabricicontinuously in asingle operation, the two sets of diagonal strands heilig maintained inproper relationship and guided in opposite directionstransversely of thepattern during the vformation thereof. This is accomplished essentiallythrough the provision of guide means having coacting, helical, guidegrooves which initi'ally engage the tipend of each of two ditraversethese diagonals across the pattern as the forward movement of thepattern progressively works the diagonals thereinto.

1 Cooperating with the helical guide groovesy and in laddition theretoare welding electrodes 8 operating in timed relation to the feed of thestrands, and serving to automatically Weld the strands at points ofintersection during the continuous forward movement of the pattern.

Still further features of the invention consist in certain novelfeatures of construction, combinations and arrangements of partshereinafter'described and claimed, the pur- 95 pose of which will beobvious to those skilled in the art from the following description.

In the accompanying drawings illustrating the preferred form'of theinvention.

Fig. l represents a front elevation of a ma- "3 chine adapted to formthe new fabric or pattern;

Fig. 2 is a left-hand side elevation of the machine shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a 'longitudinal section in elevation of the machine shown inFig. 2;

Fig. 4 is an elevation partly in section of the construction shown inFig. 5, illustrating the lower welding electrodes and the members forengaging and advancing cross-strands to welding position;

Fig. 5 is a detail illustrating the welding electrodes and cross-strandcarriers with parts cut away and shown in section;

Fig. 6 is a detail illustrating the mechanism for retaining thecross-strands in position with the carrier during its advance to weldingposition;

Fig. 7is a View illustrating diagrammatically the circuit for stoppingthe machine in the event that a cross-strand or diagonal fails of entry;I

Figs. 8 to 12, inclusive, illustrate typical patterns which may beproduced according to my invention; y

Fig. 13 is a detail .illustrating the manner in which the diagonalstrands are guided and maintained by the helical guide grooves and Fig.14 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the commutating switches forcontrolling the welding current through individual electrode wheels.

According to the method shown in the illustrated embodiment of theinvention, two sets of diagonal, metallic strands are maintained in apredetermined angular and spaced relationship, and while so held areprogressively worked into the pattern, each set of strands progressingacross the pattern in opposite directions during is incorporationherein. The pattern formed by these diagonal strands has additionallyembodied therein a set of spaced strands extending longitudinally of thepattern in alignment with thc intersections of the diagonals,andcross-strands extending transversely of the pattern 'in alignment withthe intersections of the diagonals. The four sets of strands, namely thetwo sets of diagonals, the cross-strands, and the longitudinal strands,may vbe rigidly interconnected i by welded areas uniting either thecross-strands and longitudinal strands, the longitudinal strands anddiagonals, or, if so desired, the

longitudinals, cross-strands and diagonals at a single lntersection. Theresult, as shown generally in Fig. 10, is to produce an exceeding-lyrigid reinforcing pattern, yet at the same time a pattern employing theminimum of materialto secure the desired strength.

As illustrated more particularlyin Figs. 1 to 5, inclusive, this patternmay be eiiiciently and economically produced in a single and continuousoperation. To this end the apparatus is provided generally with a frame,consisting of side members 2() connected at the upper portion by atransverse head 22 and by a bottom brace 24. Mounted between the sidemembers in operative relationship are cooperating upper and lower guiderolls 25 and 26,

each of which is provided with a helical guide addition, the upper aseries of annular groove 28 and 29. In roll 25 is provided with guidegrooves 80, as indicated. Each of the helical guide grooves 28 and 29receives and guides one set of diagonal strands, and the annular guidegrooves receive and guide a set of longitudinal strands. In operation,one diagonal of each set is successively entered at one end of thehelical guide groove in each roll, the two diagonals being positioned atopposite ends of the rolls. Thereafter, the rotation of the rolls causesthe strands to be' progressively advanced in a lengthwise di-.completely thereacross in a 4diagonal direction from one side of thepattern to the other,

the side of the pattern corresponding to the point of entrance of thestrand, representing the advanced or leading end of the strand and theopposite side of the pattern corresponding tov the' following orrearward end of the 95 strand, as will be evident to those skilled inthe art. In the illustrated embodiment of the invention, as will beevident from Fig. 1, the

set of diagonal strands engaged in the helical groove in the lower rollwill lie in the lowest plane ofthe three strands, the diagonalsengagedby the upper roll will lie in the next adjacent plane, and thelongitudinal strands will lie in the uppermost plane. As

will be evident, the strands are substantially' 105 straight and are notinterlaced or interlocked with one another throughf the formation of ashed or similar device. Cooperating with the mechanism for guiding thestrands and positioned somewhat in advance thereof are weldingelectrodes, indicated generally at40 and 42. Each of these electrodescomprises a hub 44 of insulating material mounted upon upper and lowershafts 46 and 48. Each of the hubs 44 is providedwith a series of indi`115 vidual electrode members 50 spaced at uni- 'form intervals about theperiphery and adapted, during the continuousk rotation of the shafts, to.engage 'the pattern between them at regular intervals. Each electrode/member comprises a shank portion 52 slidingly supported in a socket 54and normally forced outwardly by a spring 56, a pin 58 limiting theoutward movement, as indi-` cated. Each lower electrode illustrated, isprovided with a transverse socket 60 for receiving a cross-strand, andthe cooperating members are designed for engaging and grlpping thestrands at .points of traversed across the 85 member, asT

intersection during the welding operation.

It will beevident that the contact of the welding electrodes is limitedto strands immediatelyengaged thereby. For example, thevv lower'electrodes engage `onlywith cross` strands, and iffno cross-strand ispresent, with the lowermost diagonal. As indicated more particularly inFigs. 4 and 5, the supporting sockets for the electrode members rent tothe sockets and thence to the sliding electrodes. As indicated in Fig.1, each of the collector rings 64 is in continuous contact y with abrush 66.provided with an insulating cable 68 for conducting currentthereto., The

electrode hubs are mounted opposite one another in spaced relation onupper and lower shafts 46 and 48, the individual electrodesbeingdesigned to register in welding position as the shafts arerevolved. The arrangement i's such that the continuous rotation of theAelectrode shafts causes the electrodes to properly register with thepattern at intersections of the diagonal strands, and'locate the weldedareas at these points.

The lower elect-rode shaft is provided with a plurality of cross-strandcarriers which are designed to receive cross-strands and elevate them atpredetermined intervals into the welding areas. To this end, as shownmore particularly in Fig. 5, the shaft 48 is provided with a pluralityof hubs 70 of insulatingI material, each of which carries a series ofsliding members 7 2 having strand-receiving groovesf74 formed therein.rlhese carriers 72 are normally retained in the outward position, shownin Fig. 4, by springs '(6, the position being determined by a pin andslot connection 78. The carriers vmaybe posi;

tioned preferably adjacent one of the electrode hubs, being separatedtherefrom by a' sheet of insulating material indicated at 80.

y In this position, eachy of the carriers is aligned ,with an electrodeImember in such a manner that a cross-strand engaged by a`plurality ofcarriers is automatically aligned with one set of welding yelectrodes.Upon referring to Fig. 1, it will be noted that the cross-strands areautomatically delivered to the carriers sequentially by a reciprocatingbar 82 which is slidingly supported in a transverse supportL 84 havingav slot 86 formedtherein; In operation, cross-strands ,are deliveredlengthwise of the slot 86 by feed wheels 88 and 90 whichcooperate tofeed the strand from yan endless length, as desired. The cross-strandthus positioned in the slotted head 84 is automatically severed at therearward end by cooperating shears 92 and`94, the movable shear 94 beingmounted on the end of a lever 96 which carries the feedwheel 90 at itsouter end. Theiautomatic feed of the strand is accomplished by movingthe feed wheel 90 into rotative engagement with the feed wheel 88. Onmovement of the feed wheel out of engagement, the shear 94y is depressedto sever the strand already inserted -This operation of the feedmechanism is simply accomplished through a. link 98 operated from a cam100 to raise and lower the lever at predetermined intervals. Thecross-strand after insertion is bodily delivered to the carrierv membersby elevation of the bar 82. This is accomplished through sliding pins102 positioned beneath opposite ends of the bar and engagedy byperipheral` cams 104 mounted upon shaft 106. It will be evident from aninspection of Fig. 3 that relatively slight movement ofthe bar issufficient to elevate and deposit the strand in the lowermost carrier72.y A. cover 99 normally retainsthe cross-strand in the slot 86. openedin timed relation tothe elevation of they cross-strand by a cam 101connected'to the cover through a bell-crank lever 103 piv- This cover isoted at 105. After delivery, the strand is* y lowermost portion of .thetravel to strandv delivery position at the uppermost' portion of thetravel. From an inspection of Fig. 4, it will be evident that the normalposition of the', strand carriers is such that upon delivery of across-strand therto, the latter is automatically guided and aligned bythe car` rier, due to the normal positioning of the carrier beyond thepath of Arotation of welding electrodes. Upon continued rotation withthe shaft-carrying electrodes and carriers, the strand upon contact withthe pattern causes the carrlers to be forced inwardly until the strandis seated in the aligned electrodes, thus. causing welding contact to beestablished when the strand is in uppermost or welding position.Thereafter, continued rotationof the carriers causes the incorporatedstrand uto `be disengaged andy removed from t-he carriers. It will befurthermore noted, due to (the yielding movement of both the carriersand the welding electrodes that the latter are permitted to com-pensatefor variations in. thickness of the pattern t cause the pattern attheintersection ofthe strands to befprop-` erly gripped between weldingelectrodes for the pur ose of making welding contact therepattern is tobe' coniined to Jthe employment vof diagonal strands or diagonals andlongi-v tudinals, then these strands may be properly guided in thehelical guidegrooves without the employment of cross-strands in thed'elivery mechanism. Positioned in advanceofA v the welding mechanismand operating in timed relation therewith are a series of feed memberswhich comprise essentially endless chains 120, each having a series ofspaced feeding teeth y122 which engage behind the points of intersectionof the pattern and feed it in timed relation to the forming operation.

` y These chains are mounted at opposite ends `on supporting shafts 124and 126, each of path. lCooperating with the feed membersis Yan overheadtable or support 130, extending transversely between the side frames, asindicated, for the purpose of maintaining the position of the pattern.After engagement by the feed members, r,the pattern at the delivery endof the machine passes over a final support 132. i

f The welding members and guide rolls are conveniently driven by themain drive pulley 140, mounted on the shaft142, which is connected withvthe electrode rolls through a gear train, indicated at 143 to 146,inclusive. The gear` 146 engages with a gear 148 mounted upon one end ofthe lower electrode .shaft v which in turn engages with the gear 14;

3 151 meshes with a mounted upon the upper electrode shaft. The lowerdrive gear 148 meshes with an 1ntermediate gear 150 which drives a gear151 upon the lower guide roll shaft." The gear drives asecond gear 152upon the upper ,uide roll shaft. The gear 146 `lsoymes'hes with anddrives the sprocket 128 through a gear 15,5, as indicated. The cam shaft106 for elevating a cross-strand is provided with a gear 160, which isoperated from gear 144 throu han idler 162.

If so desired, the nished pattern may be cut into-longitudinal strips ortrimmed at the edges b cooperating shears 170 and, 172, mounte uponsliding and fixed cross-heads 174 and 178, respectively. The uppercross'- head, as indicated more particularly in Figs. 1 and 2, isslidingly supported by connecting rods 180, which .are connected attheir lower ends Ato levers 182 operated through cams 184. f

It will be understood that the movement of the shears is so timedwithrelation to thefeed of thepattern that a complete cleavage, due tol avcontinuous longitudinal cut, is obtained. l

The llower electrode members are provided with collector yrings andspring-pressed brushes 190, each having an insulated cable 192 to form acomplete circuit for the passage of welding'current when the electrodesare revolved into welding position. It will be understood that anysuitable form of commutating device may be employed for auto` -electrodewheels.

matically controlling the passage of current to the welding electrodeswhen the latter are in operative position. For example, rotatingcommutators may be employed operating in timed relation to the rotationof the wel ing electrodes, each commutator controlling the cutting onand off of current to individual Such an arrangement is showndiagrammatically in Fig. 14. Furthermore, these commutators maybedesigned'l to govern the period` of time during which welding currentpasses according to the .thickness of the material engaged by thewelding electrodes. With this construction, if so desired, passage ofWelding current through an intersectionV of three strands, i. e. twodiagonale and a longitudinal strand, will be for a longer period thanthe passage of current through the intersection oftwo diagonals alone.As indicated diagrammatically, the rotary switches or commutators areshown at 185, each member having a series of uniformly disposed contactplates for the purpose of controlling the ow of welding current. If sodesired, as indicated, the position of the contact plates on one membermay be staggered with relation to the position of plates on anothermember. Such a device may be embodiedin the welding machine and form apart thereof, or may be operated as a separate control driven insynchronism with the goperation of the machine. A

Mechanism is 4provided for automatically stopping the machine in theevent that either the longitudinal or cross-.strands fail. To this end,eachlongitudinal strand is engaged by a presser roll 220 supported uponthe outer end of the pivot arm- 222, and having'a linger '224 which`permits the opening of a switch contact 225\if the roll is allowed todrop, owing to absence of a longitudinal supporting strand, all of thisbeing shown iny Fig. 3.

As indicatedfin Fig. 1, a contact 230is mounte'd at the far end of theslot 86 through which 4the cross-strand passes, and is adapted to beengaged by the end of the cross-strand to close the switch upon properinsertion of this strand in the elevating carrier. With reference to thecircuit diagram shown in Fig. 7, lit will be evident that the contactmembers 225, for indicating the presence or absence` of longitudinalstrands, are located in series in a controllingcircuit which alsocontains the contact'member 230 controlled by the cross-strand. The'circuit about thecontact 230 is normally shunted by a commutating device232 which maintains the circuit closed aboutthe Contact, except duringtheperiod when the cross-strand is intende to be maintained inengagement with the ycontact 230. During this short period the y,circuit is normally maintained closed through the contact if thecross-strand engages therewith. Opening of the circuit through any oneof the contacts releases a solenoid, indi'- ian cated generally'natl234, to throw out a controlling switch to stop the machineas dcsired.It will be evidentthat with this the construction mechanism isl providedfor automatically stopping the machine, due to the failure or absence ofcertain of the strands normally entering into the production of thefabric.

Figs. 8 to 12, inclusive, disclose a variety of patterns which may be/produced upon the above-described apparatus and with the labove-described method. For example, in

the pattern shown in Fig. 8, two sets of spaced,diagonal strands,indicated respectively at v200 and 204, ar'e coordinated with spaced,longitudinal strands 206 to form the completed pattern. As indicated,the three sets of strands are permanently united by welded areas 210 atthe intersection of the diagonals and longitudinals, these welded areasbeing staggered to conform to thespacing of the intersections. In Fig. 9is illustrated a somewhat similar fabric embodying 2.5.the additionofross-strands 212, the four sets' 210 at the intersections of the fourstrands,

of strands being united by the welded areas and welded areas 214 at theintersections of the longitudinal and diagonal strands. It will beevident. that' the proper location of these Welded areas can be readilyaccomplished by a proper spacing of the electrode members, both withrelation to the supporting hubs and an adjustment of the electrode hubswith relation to one another. In the fabric or pattern shownj in Fig.10, four sets of strands are employed, these strands being united by aseries of uniformly-disposed welding areas engaging successively withthe intersection of each four strands and the intersection of thelongitudinal and diagonal strands. This fabric or pattern may beproduced .by lthe apparatus shown in the illustrated embodiment of theinvention. Figs.

' concrete or plaster reinforcement, it may be formed of steel rods oriron or steel 'wire of the desired ,gauges toQ impart. the necessarystrength and vrigidity to the fabric. f. In yaddition, it will beevident that this type of fabric` may be employed equally well `forother purposes, such asy ornamental grilles for enclos' ing radiators,ventilator openings, and for similar purposes, in fact, any .usage 'towhlch ornamental grilles are ordinarily applled,

aild to this extent the fabric so produced is Isimilar or equivalent inits function to openwork fabrics of metal strandsin which therelationship of VV the strands is maintained by interweaving orinterlocking as distinguished from the maintenance ofthe strands throughwelding or otherwise uniting at the points of intersection. According tothe present mechanism, it will be furthermore evident that theindividual strands of each set lie in the same plane throughout thelength of the fabric, and do not extend in an undulating path toopposite sides of the fabric as is the case with interwoven orinterlocked strands.

The present pattern may be conveniently referred to as a metallic fabricas the purpose and function served by this pattern is equivalent in manyessentialrespects to the function of an open-work pattern of interlockedor interwoven metallic strands, such as com.- monly employed.

lVhat is claimed is: t

1. Apparatus for the production of metallic fabrics comprising means formaintaining a predetermined relationship between two series of strandsextending diagonally with relation to one another, means for feeding twoseries of strands while maintaining the predetermined relationship,means for bonding the strands at points of intersection, and means forengaging and feeding the pattern after the strands have been permanentlyunited by `welded areas.

2. Apparatus for the producing of open, metallic patterns comprisingcooperating means provided with helical, guide grooves receiving andguiding a plurality of sets of diagonal strands, means for rotating thehelical grooves in a manner to traverse the guide points of the strandstransversely to the direction of feed las the strands are bodilyadvanced, and means for automatically bonding the strands at points ofintersection to permanently Iunite them.'

3. Apparatus for the production of open, metallic patterns comprisingcooperating guide rolls, each providedV with a helical, guide grooveforV guiding and feeding two sets'of strands disposed diagonally withrelation `to one another, cooperating welding electrodes positionedinadvance of the guide rolls, means for operating the electrodes in timedrelation to the advance of the strands to automatically unite thestrands through Welded areas at their points .of intersection.

4. Apparatus for the production of open, metallicv patterns comprising aguide roll yprovided with intersecting guide groovesI formed therein,means for rotating the roll to bodily advance two series of strands, andmeanjspositioned in proximity to the guide roll for automaticallybonding the strands' at points of intersection in timed relation to theadvance of the pattern.

5. Apparatus for producing open, metallic patterns comprising means: forguiding two sets of strands extending diagonally with relation to oneanother, cooperatlng welding electrodes positioned in operative relationto the guide means, and means for operating the electrodes toautomatically grip the strands at their points of intersection with awelding contact during the advance of the pattern.

6. Apparatus for the production of open, metallic patterns comprisingmeans for guiding two sets of spaced strands extending'diagonally withrelation to one another, cooperating electrode wheels positioned inoperative relation to the guide means, means for rotating'the wheels intimed relation to the advance of the strands to automatically grip andweld the strands at points of intersection during the. continuousadvance there- 'of with the pattern.

7 Apparatus for theproduction of open,

` metallic patterns comprising means for guiding spaced, parallelstrands lengthwise of the pattern, cooperating electrode wheels 'forproducing successive welded areas upon thtl pattern, a series of rotaiycarriers for bodily delivering cross-strands to operative positionbetween the welding wheels to ca-use the strands to be permanently areasat their points of intersection.

8. Apparatus for the production of open, metallic patterns comprising`means for guiding a series of strands lengthwise ofthe pat tern,cooperating rotary electrodes, means for rotating the electrodescontinuously, rotarycross-strand carriers for delivering separatecross-strands of predetermined length to the path of the electrodes, andmeans for intermittently delivering cross-strands to continuouslyrotating carriers.

9. Apparatus for .the production of metallic fabrics comprising meansfor maintaining a predetermined relationship between two series ofspaced strands extending diagonally wlth relationto one another, meansfor eedmg the two series of strands while maintaining the predeterminedrelationship and meansfor bonding the strands of difierent series atpoints of intersection.

10. Apparatus for the production of open, metallic patterns comprisingcooperating guide rolls provided with helical guide grooves for guidingtwo sets of strands disposed diagonally with relation to one another,cooperating welding electrodes positioned in proximity to the guiderolls,

and means for operating the electrodes in timed relation to the advanceof the strands by the guide rolls to automatically unite the strandsthrough welded areas at their points of intersection.

11., Apparatus for the production of open, metallic patterns comprisingmeans for guldmg two sets of spaced strands extending diagonally withrelation 4to one another, cooperating electrode carriers each having aseries of electrodes, and means for operating the carriers in timedrelation to the advance of the strands to cause successive electrodesunited by welded strands extending Y strands.

to automatically grip and weld the strands at points of intersectionduring the continuous advance thereof with the pattern.

12. Apparatus for the production of open, metallic patterns, guiding aseries of spaced strands lengthwise of the pattern, a rotarycross-strand earrier for delivering separate cross-strands in operativerelation to the longitudinal strands, intermittently operating means fordelivering cross-strands at predetermined intervals to the rotarycarrier, and means for welding the strands at points of intersectionafter the cross-strands have been delivered to operative position.

13. Apparatus for the production of open, metallic patterns, comprisingmeans for guiding a series of strands lengthwise of the pattern, across-strand carrier having a strand-receiving slot, means fordelivering cross-strands intermittently into the slot, means forretaining the strands therein, means for operating the carrier todeliver strands received in the slot at redetermined intervals, andmeans for releasing the strands and ejecting them from the slots.

14, Apparatus for the production of open, metallic patterns, comprisingmeans for guiding and maintaining two'sets of spaced in diagonalrelationship to one another, means for bonding the two sets `of strandstogether at points of intersection while maintained in diagonalrelationship, and means for feeding the pattern produced by the unitingof the two sets of FRANCIS B. RILEY.

